ROBERTSPORT, Grand Cape Mount – The assigned Circuit Judge of the 5th Judicial Circuit in Grand Cape Mount County, Blamo Dixon, on Tuesday, Dec 9, 2025, acquitted Sierra Leonean-Liberian recording artist Alonzo Teah Abasi of all drug-trafficking charges against him in a high-profile case.
It can be recalled on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) reported that at about 6:30 pm, four suspects were arrested at the Bo Waterside Port of entry in Grand Cape Mount County with 844 grams of Methcathinone, an emerging synthetic drug valued at US$8,440.00, an equivalent of L$1,688,000.00.
Those arrested at the time, according to the LDEA, were two Sierra Leonean nationals, namely Eariel Xavises Aweti, aged 36, and Samuel R. Grey, 28, along with Matthew Sherman, 25, a Liberian and resident of the VOA Community in Brewerville.
The LDEA noted that suspect Alonso Teah (known on Facebook as Alonzo Abasi), 35, a Liberian resident in Sierra Leone who is an artist and whose song is directly on the campaign for Drug Awareness and prevention, was among the four arrested.
“The seizure of the drug marks the first known attempt to introduce Methcathinone into the Liberian market,” the LDEA reported.
The LDEA emphasized that the substance was found hidden during a routine inspection in the rear door of a blue Nissan Primera with license plate A120421, adding “all suspects were turned over for investigation.”
Following four months into the high-profile drug case that began with Alonzo’s dramatic arrest at the Bo Waterside border, the local Sierra Leone Monitor said prosecutors in Liberia have formally withdrawn all drug-trafficking charges against the suspect.
The Sierra Leone Monitor, quoting a statement from Alonzo’s management team, said “Liberian authorities concluded an exhaustive investigation and found no basis to proceed, fully clearing the artist of any wrongdoing”.
With the charges now dropped, Alonzo is according to the Sierra Leone Monitor, is expected to return to his music career after what his team called “an unfortunate and baseless ordeal.”
“No further details about the investigation or the reasons for dismissing the case have been made public by the LDEA,” the Sierra Leone Monitor emphasized.
With the acquittal of Alonzo’s in the alleged Methcathinone drug case, which drew wide public and international attention, many Liberians are now questioning Liberia’s judicial system and is a serious embarrassment to the LDEA’s fight against illegal drugs entering the country.
Since Alonzo’s acquittal, there has reportedly been no statement issued by Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah, Liberia’s Solicitor General, nor the LDEA authorities.
Who Is Alonzo Teah Abasi?
Alonzo (born Alonzo Teah Abasi) is a Sierra Leonean/Liberian songwriter, recording artist, and performer.
In 2003, the US embassy in Liberia organized a competition for HIV/AIDS asking members of the public to create a song that promotes awareness of HIV/AIDS. Alonzo took part in the competition and won. This kick-started the musical career of Alonzo, as the US embassy continued to sponsor him.
Alonzo became infatuated with music and all it entailed. He recorded his first mixtape ‘INNOCENT’ in Nigeria and released it in 2006. The mix tape received public recognition and was a huge success with songs such as ‘Letter to the President’, ‘Liberian Angel’, ‘Can’t Believe’, and ‘Innocent’.
Following the success of his mixtape, Alonzo signed to Kallboxx Records in Sierra Leone in 2008. Later in the year, Alonzo released his debut studio album titled ‘Africa Unite’. He rose to prominence with the release of a song called ‘Angel’, which speaks about his long-distance relationship with his love. This song became a favorite song in Sierra Leone and beyond.
The album’s title track, ‘Africa’ became an international hit in countries such as the US and the UK. The song was played on the BBC, earning Alonzo a lucrative deal with the leading record label Sony and BMG. In 2008, the song was featured on the Best of Africa Mix Tape alongside artists such as Youssou Ndour and the late Mariam Makeba from South Africa.
In 2009, he was invited by MTV Music Africa to represent Sierra Leone as the country’s favourite artist. At the pre-MAMA (MTV African Music Awards) in Kenya, Alonzo performed with African music greats such as Akon and Wyclef Jean.
Since then, Alonzo has not stopped working and has continued to strive to always remain one step ahead of the musical game. This includes performing at sold-out concerts internationally.
His work and contribution to the Sierra Leone and Liberian Music Industry has earned him several achievements, including the Best Male Artist award at Sierra Leone National Awards (2012), Artist of the year AWOL (All works of life) (2014), SL DJ Union Award for Best Lovers Rock Artist and SLM TV USA recipient for best reggae artist, Special achievement award for contribution to Liberian music at Liberian Music (Entertainment Awards Australia) (2013).
He also received the Artist of the Year Europe award at the 2016 Liberia Music Awards in Minnesota.
In 2012, Alonzo released his second studio album called ‘Dream Alive’ featuring the smash hit ‘Salone Party’. In 2016, he released another album titled ‘Overdose’. In 2020, Alonzo toured Canada and released the Krootown Road (KTR) Borbor Project, a brand-new mixtape that is available to stream on multiple platforms. Additional Courtesy of Crime Watch Liberia.
